Take the first gentle step toward healing – no words required.

Individuals who perceive hostility or disregard from other humans or who have experienced trauma may accept an animal’s non-judgmental and unconditional affection and attention instead. Studies of AAP demonstrate these results in nearly all participants, regardless of age, the duration of the session, or the severity of symptoms.  Bay Area Counseling & Consultation, LLC. offers Canine or Equine Animal Assisted Psychotherapy to patients benefitting from this experiential modality.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is conducted at Dun-Pikin Farm with several Equine Partners: Tammy, Lilly, Chester, Marley, Dublin. Several providers at BACC utilize EAP in their practice and are certified through the Awakening With Equines program or PATH. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy addresses treatment goals using collaborative efforts among a horse professional, a licensed therapist, the horse, and the patient.

Sessions include hands-on activities with Equine partners and processing feelings, behaviors, and patterns. In EAP sessions, patients interact with Equines on the ground and use nonverbal communication, problem-solving, coregulation, mindfulness practices, and creative thinking to address various mental health symptoms. Because horses are prey animals, they are incredibly intuitive and sensitive to their environments and the emotional state of the humans around them. Due to their biology, equines provide honest and non-judgmental feedback regarding what is happening emotionally and behaviorally for patients. Horses do best when the humans with them are honest about what they’re experiencing, which can help participants be present and connect more deeply with what’s happening to them.

Meet our therapy horses